Heavy freezing rain coated roads, trees, power lines, and most other objects with ice up to 3 inches thick. Travel quickly became difficult to impossible. Many roads including Interstate Highways 90 and 29 were closed for extended periods of time. Most schools and businesses were forced to close. Electric power was lost over widespread areas when many miles of power lines and thousands of poles were knocked down, with more damaged. Strong winds which accompanied the ice storm and the immediately following blizzard combined with the weight of the ice to bring down many of the power lines and poles. Tens of thousands of households and businesses lost power, with the time power was out ranging from most of a day, to two or three weeks in some rural areas. Even a few communities were without power for extended periods, such as more than 5 days at Avon and Wessington Springs, and 9 days at Woonsocket. The damage to power poles and lines was so extensive that repairs done in the following days and weeks required assistance from crews which came from other states such as North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Montana, Missouri, and Kansas. The power loss resulted in numerous additional problems, including loss of refrigeration, freezing, and cooking capacity, lack of heating, loss of telephone service, and the loss of water service. Indirect damage also occurred, such as damage to computers caused by generator power fluctuations. The loss of heat and utilities and food problems forced many people to take emergency shelter during and after the storm in such varied places as schools, nursing homes, community centers, churches, fire stations, and courthouses where commercial or generator power was available. Medical care was made unavailable or seriously hampered by the lack of power and the difficulties or impossibility of transportation. Even mail delivery was temporarily halted in many areas. Tree damage was extensive, with some vehicles and buildings suffering damage from falling trees. Livestock losses were suspected because of difficulties in making food and water available, although emergency assistance in the days following the storm helped. Aside from law enforcement and other emergency personnel, the National Guard was activated for emergency operations including rescue work.

Ice Storm in GREGORY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in HANSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 14:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in AURORA, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in BEADLE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in BON HOMME, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 14:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 28-NOV-05 08:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in BRULE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in CHARLES MIX, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in DAVISON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in DOUGLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in HUTCHINSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 14:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in JERAULD, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in KINGSBURY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 14:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in MINER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 14:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ice Storm in SANBORN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 27-NOV-05 11:00:00 to 28-NOV-05 06:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT